How many visits?

annaedRN, RN · May 8, 2008

WOW! We average 5-6 vists a day and mileage is anywhere from 25-50 on average. Does not matter what the patient needs ( IV, wounds, teaching...) or if they are MC or not. A visit is a visit. An admission counts as 2 for us though. So actual visits/patients would be 4-5 those days. It sounds like you are expected to do quite a bit more than we are required to do. With the paperwork, it's no wonder you are overwhelmed. Is there anyone you can talk to in your office about it? Are you being reimbursed for your travel time/mileage and charting time? If not, I'd be concerned.

melissahunter2 · May 8, 2008

WOW! We average 5-6 vists a day and mileage is anywhere from 25-50 on average. Does not matter what the patient needs ( IV, wounds, teaching...) or if they are MC or not. A visit is a visit. An admission counts as 2 for us though. So actual visits/patients would be 4-5 those days. It sounds like you are expected to do quite a bit more than we are required to do. With the paperwork, it's no wonder you are overwhelmed. Is there anyone you can talk to in your office about it? Are you being reimbursed for your travel time/mileage and charting time? If not, I'd be concerned.

Thanks for your reply. Although I am salary, working 8-5/6 and straight through lunch brings the hourly pay way down. I have talked to them in the office and they said " You can do #1 pt from 8-830" etc. In a perfect world this would work out. But we all know how that just does not happen. Especially if we want to give any kind of quality care. I will start looking for another job tomorrow!!

annaedRN, RN · May 8, 2008

I'm sorry for your situation. I really appreciate my agency and the emphasis they put on patient care. They also factor time in for paperwork. Most days I go into the office at 7:30 for paperwork. Start seeing patients around 8:30 and am home between 2-3pm. I can finish up the paper work by 4-4:30 or so most days. If you love HH, don't give up. Is there any other agencies on the area? Through the hospitals, nursing homes, maybe even a hospice? Hopefully things will work out for you!

caliotter3 · May 8, 2008

Your dilemma is why I've chosen to do shifts rather than visits. It also helps save wear and tear on my car. I only go to one address and put in 8 or 12 hours and do paperwork for that one visit. Less stress. You might see if shift work is available and try it if possible. Good luck on finding a different situation that is tolerable.

NurseRoRo · May 24, 2008

I just started HH last summer and I average 4-6 patient visits a day. I do palliative care in the home so I spend about 45 min.- 1.5 hours in the home doing some couseling. I average 60-100 miles a day, or about 2 hours of travel time. I have done 8 med/surg visits in one day. That day sucked. I can't imagine how you're able give quality care in 30 minutes. I have seen some patients that are quick 30min visits but those are rare, especially since patients are coming home more ill. Good luck and like someone else said, try finding another agency that won't put those unrealistic expectations out there.

horsepoor · May 29, 2008

Get out quick. If this is how they treat a newbie it will only get worse. We also see 4-6 pt's per day less when we have an admit or recert. Apply and interview at anything else in your area. You could tell them youve heard about other agencies and what their expected volumes are and if they cant comply you will be looking for another job. Put the pressure on them and if they cant or wont change get out of an impossible situation.

meriposa · Jun 5, 2008

I am new to HH also. We are expected to do 6 visits a day. All MC- that includes recerts and d'cs. They started me out at 3-4 day because I have only been flying solo for two weeks now. They are so understanding where I work, I can't imagine how you are doing it. I agree; you never know what you are going to walk into. I can't make it in and out of someone's home in 30 min. -- excluding all paperwork. It always takes btw 45 to 1 hour/15 min.

Good luck to you, it sounds like you need to find a better employer!

meriposa · Jun 5, 2008

I am new to HH also. We are expected to do 6 visits a day. All MC- that includes recerts and d'cs. They started me out at 3-4 day because I have only been flying solo for two weeks now. They are so understanding where I work, I can't imagine how you are doing it. I agree; you never know what you are going to walk into. I can't make it in and out of someone's home in 30 min. -- excluding all paperwork. It always takes btw 45 to 1 hour/15 min.

Good luck to you, it sounds like you need to find a better employer!

GrumpyRN63, ADN, RN · Jun 6, 2008

I do home hospice/palliative weekend baylor 10 hr shift, see avg of 6 pts, drive 25 miles,but that varies since only 2 of us cover the territory on the weekend, we also share the on-call 'beeper' so factor in some trouble shooting,crisis visits. My usual visit is 45- 1hr for a reg SNV, a crisis visit can be 1.5-2 hrs, if I'm very busy I am TOLD by my supervisor to add in the extra time for charting, she's awesome :)